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(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

H. HEUSOH.

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING NEEDLE BLANKS. No. 391,847.

Patented Oct. 30, 1888.

N. PErERs. Pholo-lilhogrhphen washin mn. [1.3.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. HEUSGH.

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING NEEDLE BLANKs. No. 391,847. Patented Oct. 30, 1888.

UNITED STATES PATENT. mes

HUGO HEUSOH, OF AlX-LA CHAPELLE, PRUSSIA, GERMANY.

APPARATUS FOR PREPARING NEEDLE BLANKS.

$PEC'IPICA'I'ION forming part of Letters Patent No. 391,847, dated October 30, 1888.

Application lilod November 28, 1887. Serial Xo..256,3-1-l. (No model.) Patented in Germany November 2, 1886, No. 10,691.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it k nown that I, HUGO Hanson, of Air;- la-Chapelle, in the Kingdom of Prussia and German Empire, have invented new and use ful Apparatus for Preparing Needle-Blanks, of which the following is a specification, ref ence being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon.

This invention has been patented by me only in Germany by Patent No. 40,691, dated November 2, 1888.

The object of my invention is to provide convenient mechanism for weakening and expanding the middle part ofa piece of hardened steel wire suflicicntly long to make two needles, the piece dividing at the middle of the weakened part, and the expansion of the contiguous ends of the two blanks thus formed allowing the eyes to be easily formed therein.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of the grooved wheels for carrying the wire, the perforated pipe which discharges flames against the middle part of the wire, the shields which limit the action of the flames, the shaft and pulleys whereby said wheels are driven, and the supporting frame and bearings forsaid shaft. Fig. 2 representsasidc elevation of the entire mechanism embodying my invention, except the fastening devices for the shields. Fig. 3 represents a front elevation of the mixing-pipe and shields. Fig. 4 represents a vertical section on the line 90 y of Fig. 5, and Fig. 5 represents aside elevation ofthe pipes and shields.

A designates a mixing-pipe, which is provided with air by an air-pipe, A, forming, preferably, a direct continuation ofit, and with gas by a pipe, G. These pipes G and A are provided with stop-cocks G and K for cutting off the supply of either gas or air at will. The pipe A beyond the junction of these pipes G and A consists of a horizontal part, which passes through a support, M, a vertical part, and a curved part having several series of perforations, a, formed therein. Through these perforations the mixture of gas and air will is sue, when ignited, in jets of flame, as shown in Fig. 3.

B designates a pair of semiannular shields arranged edge upward one on each side of the curved part of mixing-tube A, to which they are fastened by riveting said plates on collars V and W, which are fast on said tube at the end of the curved and perforated portion. The collars and the ends of the shields are provided with flanges, through which the rivets pass. These shields follow the curvature of the pipe and riscabove it at all points. Their function is to confine the action of the heat to the space immediately above the perforations and between said shields. A piece of wire placed with its middle part across the space above referred to will be weakened and expanded in the middle, so that it may readily be divided into two blanks, each having an expanded head suitable for forming an eye therein.

For successively presenting a number of pieces of wire to the action of the flames, I employ two wheels, 0, which are clamped on a shaft by means of a screw, 0, passing through their laterally-extending hubs O, or in any other convenient manner. This shaft is pro vided with a differential belt-pulley, I, for driving it, and is mounted in a bearing-,1), formed on a supporting'frame. P. The said wheels are arranged one on each side of the shields B and the curved part of the mixing-pipe A, and are concentric with the circle of which the curve of these latter would form a part. The 'peripheries of these wheels rise a very little above the upper edges of the shields and are provided with transverse grooves 0. Each piece of wire fits into two corresponding grooves c of the two wheels, the pieces of wire being successively supplied to the wheels by a feedchute, D, to the wheels at a point above the center of the wheels and at the rear side thereof with regard to the direction of rotation. The pieces of wire are delivered by said wheels on the forward side thereof at a point below the'center to a receptacle, E. During the passage of each piece of wire from the point of supply to the point of discharge the middle part of said piece is subjected to the action of the flames, as aforesaid, whereas the remaining parts of the piece rest in grooves c and are not affected in any way.

The feed-chute D is supported by a standard, D, which is made in two sections and provided with a pivot-bolt, d, whereby the positions of said feed-chute may be regulated.

This standard is supported by'a block, D The receptacle E is similarly provided with a standard, E, rising from a bed, E and made in two sections connected by a pivot-bolt, c, for adjusting the position of said receptacle.

The end of air-pipe A. away from mixing-pipe A is turned vertically upward and surrounded by a casing, F, which constitutes the lower part of an air-holder constructed like a gasometer. The upper part, F, of this air-holder is provided with anti-friction rolls f, which run in contact with upright rods of a frame, Q, extending above said air-holder. A spring or weight, H, is located on the top of the upper part, F, of the air-holder to insure its descent when the air is withdrawn therefrom in excess of the supply. A guide-rod,h, rises from the top of said part F and passes through the top piece, 9, of frame Q. The spring or weight H surrounds this guide-rod l1,and is held thereby in its proper place.

Air is supplied to the air-holder by a pipe, J, having a cut-off cock, J.

The action of the heat upon the middle of the wire may he graduated at will, and the mechanism may thus be applied to the manufacture of hair-pins and other articles which merely need to be made flexible and then bent.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The combination of a pair of parallel rotating wheels having transverse grooves in their peripheries for holding pieces of wire which extend across from one wheel to the other with devices for causing the rotation of said wheels and a perforated pipe arranged in the space between them for applying heat to the intermediate parts of such pieces, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of grooved wheels C and mechanism for rotating them with a curved and perforated pipe, A, arranged below the space between said whee1s,and shields D on each side of said pipe, which confine the section of flame issuing from said pipe to the space immediately above it, substantially as set forth.

3. The airpipe A and the gas-pipe G,in combination with the mixingpipe A, supplied by them,and having a curved and perforated portion, as described, a pair of shields attached to the sides of this perforated portion and rising above the same, and a pair of wheels arranged outside of said wheels and grooved transversely to carry pieces of wire and the neces sary mechanism for supporting and rotating said wheels, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

HUGO HEUSOH.

Vitnesscs:

H. BUTENBERG, J on. HEOKMANNS. 

